** 2008 NY Financial Literacy Forum will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 4:30 pm at the Albany Crowne Plaza**

** Albany, NY --March 24, 2008 A pre-conference NY Financial Literacy Forum will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 4:30 pm at the Albany Crowne Plaza prior to the NUA's Believe To Achieve Conference that includes over 2000 leading educators and teachers. **

** The Forum's purpose is to advise and inform educators on how government and private sector organizations are working to improve levels of teaching financial literacy to students in New York State. The NY Financial Literacy Forum is presented by the Your World, Your Money Financial Education Program, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, New York Credit Union Foundation, and TeachingFinancialEducation.com.

Dr. Eric Cooper said, "Providing financial education strategies enables educators to empower their students in a much needed life skill. Poverty and failure doesn't have to be destiny. We need to show every child there is hope. They can succeed because of good schools that believe in them. Financial Literacy is a necessity that school systems throughout the country should adapt. Utilizing programs which contain sound principles of financial education that engage the disadvantaged may be the most critical service offered by community-based organizations."

Leading experts on Financial Education will present a panel discussion on how to better educate students about matters pertaining to their finances and their future which includes:

     • A discussion on the urgency for Financial Education in relating National Strategy.

     • Resolution for NY Financial Literacy Month in April.

     • Overview of pending NY legislation which aims to increase the financial literacy knowledge of students.

Teaching For Intelligence: Believe To Achieve Conference Partners include:

City School District of Albany, New York State Council of School Superintendents, New York State United Teachers, New York State School Boards Association, The School Redesign Network, The LEADS Initiative at Stanford University, and QUESTAR III.

Keynote Speaker, Dan Iannicola, Jr., Esq. (Invited), Deputy Assistant Secretary for U.S. Dept. of Treasury Office of Financial Education; Welcome: Dr. Eric Cooper, President of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education; Moderator: Dr. Gerald Lauber, Chief Operating Officer, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education; Remarks: Richard C. Iannuzzi, President of the New York State United Teachers; Panelists: Dr. Eva Joseph, Superintendent, Albany City Schools; Diane LaVigna-Wixted, CFRE, CUDE, Executive Director, New York Credit Union Foundation; Dr. Tom Rogers, Executive Director, The New York State Council of School Superintendents; Jeff Shade, Teacher, Your World Your Money. **